Via launches a quad-core DirectX 11 picoITX motherboard

CHIP DESIGNER Via has launched a quad-core x86 EPIA-P910 motherboard sporting DirectX 11 support.

Via has been pushing its picoITX sized motherboards for some years now, but in the past 12 months the chips powering the diminutive boards have become real contenders for net-top machines. Now the firm has launched its EPIA-P910 picoITX motherboard featuring a quad-core 1GHz E series processor and a VX11H GPU that supports DirectX 11.

While Via manages to pack a considerable amount of silicon onto the EPIA-P910, owners will have to supply the RAM in the form of a SO-DIMM, with the motherboard supporting up to an 8GB DDR3 1,333MHz module.

Via heavily promotes the performance of its VX11H GPU, though despite its DirectX 11 support the firm seems to position the chip for video playback. The company said it supports 3D stereoscopic output through the HDMI output that is on the board.

Via's EPIA-P910 also offers two SATA ports, though sadly not a microSATA port for those wanting to use slim solid state drives. The board also offers good connectivity and video outputs aside from the aforementioned HDMI port, with gigabit Ethernet, two USB 3.0 ports and a D-Sub analog video output, with the firm providing pin-outs for an additional daughterboard.

Via did not disclose pricing for its EPIA-P910 and while it is unlikely to be as cheap as the Raspberry Pi, it does offer considerably more computing power, an x86 chip and DirectX 11 graphics. µ